spiritual musings, recycling, my grand daughter,quote, b-day of GURU NANAK

यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानव: |
आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते || 17||

BG 3.17:But those who rejoice in the self, who are illumined and fully satisfied in the self, for them, there is no duty.



I made this sun burst mirror using magazines' glossy and hard covers, the sticks are very hard like wooden sticks.. 

the sun burst mirror is replaced with clock in this computer room

the basket behind baby is crocheted using hard poly bags
my cuty is smiling
Oh my goodness that is so sweet!

I could pinch those cheeks.
Of course the "basket" does go nicely with cutie baby!

 We all live a life of which beauty is a part. While we are all not named as artists, each of us responds in some way to that which is beautiful. Many of us see a necessity of keeping beauty around us. Vibrant color, fascinating form and designs, exciting textures and patterns seem to fill some part of our soul. In my mind an artist is simply one who makes beauty visible (and certainly audible or tactile) and thereby holds onto the beautiful for a little longer"  I still feel this way and crafting is the vehicle by which I can make beauty visible.

The most precious thing EVER!!! Melted my heart!

Adorable, God must have blessed her with all Beauty

These days 

Weather keeps happening too.  We still have pollution on the ground from the burning of parallies( rice crop residue)since  last month! Yesterday we had a huge thunderstorm...one inch of rain in half an hour....and a rainbow!:)

....busy decorating a  tree....jtropa with lights  for Guru Nank Ji’s birth anniversary. 

Now we need to illuminate  it!

"Some people feel the rain, 

Others just get wet." 

-Roger Miller

"There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self." – Aldous Huxley

xoxo

My niche today

Hibiscus plant yellow leaves

Happy Day!

purple baby dress

  purple baby dress

xoxo

Machine cover converted into craft box

I bought this sewing machine i was badly in need) from Sarojini Nagar market, Delhi...

see the previous post HERE

i shop to utilize the box it came with to make this.........

this is zipped box to stack my crafty things, its lined with the same fabric as on roof (cover)
previously the inside lining with casing and a string with small fabric balls at the end to tie the lining outside the box was sewed....

later ...........on.........i decided to alter it .....as shown in the picture below

since the fabric shopped was 2 meter piece.....so i left with some fabric worth to make apron like

THIS i will post the apron in line to be Swed...............very sooon!!!!

Happy recycling!

Tranquility in Motion: My Journey with Needle, Yarn, and Thread

Returning to the Sewing Machine

I’ve purchased a new Stitch Magic by USHA machine and am ready to tackle the dressmaking myself. Although it has been a long time due to my previous commitments with my job at the university, social work, and domestic duties, I am fed up with the poor quality and unreliability of paid tailors.

Now that I’ve dedicated time to sit down with my new machine, I'm pleased to find that my sewing skills have all come flooding back to me. I feel confident in my ability to manage this project for my family.

Stitching love into every seam: A cozy green flannel top crafted for my granddaughter using the new Stitch Magic machine.

Early Roots and Childhood Memories

Ever since I was quite young, perhaps ten years old, I've loved handicrafts—not only for the outcome, but because I truly enjoyed the process itself.

Crafts such as knitting were my beginning. I learned using broomsticks as knitting needles and unraveling frayed yarn from old, torn knitted socks my mother had made for my father. I was in the third standard, studying in Hindu High School, Jamnagar, Gujarat. We were living in the woolen mill quarters at the time, as Air Force quarters hadn't been allotted to us yet.

Over time, I expanded my skills to include:

• Sewing & Patchwork

• Crochet & Spinning (both with a charkha and a drop spindle)

• Weaving & Embroidery (which filled my school holidays during my B.Sc. Home Science days in our village in Haryana)

I still enjoy creating things these days. The trick is keeping my patchwork and knitting fresh and modern. I'm so glad that it's trendy to be crafty now!

Whispers of yarn: A delicate, hand-crocheted lace doily adorned with fresh blooms.

A cozy corner brought to life with hand-stitched patchwork cushions and personal touches.

Meditation in Motion: Finding My Rhythm

I have found my own path to the tranquility that traditional seated meditation always promised but never delivered. The "think of nothing for 30 minutes" approach is a discipline my restless mind simply cannot grasp. Instead, I find my meditative rhythm in motion and in craft.

• Walking: Provides a foundational cadence. The steady, predictable fall of my feet against the ground is a subtle percussion that allows my thoughts to wander and settle, like dust motes in sunlight.

• Crocheting: Using remnants of previous years' yarn offers a similar, yet richer, sanctuary. The meditative quality lies within the simple, repetitive mechanics of the stitches—a graceful engagement for my hands that frees my mind.

Rhythms in progress: Soft wool and knitting needles waiting in a basket

The Quiet Virtues of Crafting

This practice comes with its own collection of quiet virtues:

• Mindful pause: It prevents mindless snacking during family television time with a project resting in my lap.

• Reflective moments: It permits the careful sipping of a glass of tea or coffee.

The occasional wonky stitch serves as a gentle reminder not to become too distracted—a beautiful metaphor, perhaps, for life itself, requiring a periodic, patient unraveling and a fresh start.

The rhythm of the hook and yarn is my anchor, a tangible and satisfying way to find peace in the present moment.

A mindful pause: A warm cup of tea resting on a handmade coaster during a quiet break.

The Joy of Unwinding and Creating

It is remarkable how effortlessly you can embrace a new pursuit. While the initial stages may demand focus—perhaps you won't yet be able to master a new stitch and follow a film simultaneously—that synergy will come. In the interim, you discover the unique joy of simultaneously unwinding and creating something tangible.

This duality is precisely where true satisfaction lies: in the act of creation.

Much like the reward of preparing a delicious meal, there is profound pleasure in crafting a thoughtful, handmade gift for a friend, such as a knitted cot rug. The inherent quality of the knit fabric ensures it is resilient—it fastens securely and will not unravel.

A favorite knitting project when wanting to knit without really thinking about it is this versatile piece, which serves beautifully as a rugged floor mat or a comforting throw rug to curl up with on the sofa when a chill sets in. It's a meditative and satisfying make that brings warmth and texture to any space, requiring minimal mental effort for maximum cozy impact.

A vibrant mandala in yarn: Bringing warmth, color, and texture to everyday spaces.

MY INSPIRATIONAL BLOG TODAY... my castle in spain: Join the poets in Cordoba my castle in spain: Join the poets in Cordoba: At times I wish to be a simple tourist here in Andalusia and visit city after city. If I had time on my hands, Cordoba would be on my agenda...

Thank you for taking this quiet moment to walk through my world of thread, yarn, and memories. Crafting has brought so much grounding peace to my days, and I hope it inspires you to find your own rhythmic retreat—whether through needlework, walking, or any pursuit that slows the world down just a bit.

I’d love to hear from you: Do you have a favorite craft or routine that acts as your anchor? What brings you into that calm, meditative flow? Please share your thoughts and stories in the comments below!

xoxo

Paper Heart, Cane Tin Planter

SOURCE

 I loved Sister Diane's tutorial last week for the recycled jewelry. I reworked it a bit to make hearts. I used 12 inch srapebook paper (cause I really wanted lots of pink & red) and some gold pigment. This is my proto type, kinda looks alienish. We are making these for my daughter's girlscout troop next month.

Recycling 

cane planter

I created this planter using three 1 liter tins of Ghee, i cut out bases of two tins pasted them on one tin to make three tin planter then I paste, up-cycled cane around them. this is 22 feet planter and can hold a fair amount of soil for the plants. My ivy found a  new house in it...

Happy crafting!